Police investigating threat made at Crystal Lake middle school

Police: No reason to believe school safety is in jeopardy at this time

Matthew Apgar - mapgar@shawmedia.com
Crystal Lake police leave the scene after investigating a threat allegedly made by a student at Hannah Beardsley Middle School on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Crystal Lake.

Matthew Apgar - mapgar@shawmedia.com

Caption

Matthew Apgar - mapgar@shawmedia.com
Crystal Lake police leave the scene after investigating a threat allegedly made by a student involving a shooting at Hannah Beardsley Middle School on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Crystal Lake.

Matthew Apgar - mapgar@shawmedia.com

Caption

Matthew Apgar - mapgar@shawmedia.com
Crystal Lake police leave the scene after investigating a threat allegedly made by a student involving a shooting at Hannah Beardsley Middle School on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Crystal Lake.

Matthew Apgar - mapgar@shawmedia.com

Caption

Matthew Apgar - mapgar@shawmedia.com
Crystal Lake police leave the scene after investigating a threat allegedly made by a student involving a shooting at Hannah Beardsley Middle School on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Crystal Lake.

CRYSTAL LAKE – Police and Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47 officials are investigating a threat made Thursday by a student at Hannah Beardsley Middle School.

“We’re aware of it and are working with police,” District 47 coordinator of community relations Denise Barr said of the threat.

Police could be seen at the school late Thursday afternoon.

Asked about the nature of the threat, Barr said, “It wasn’t specific, but it was concerning enough to investigate it.”

Crystal Lake police Deputy Chief Derek Hyrkas said in an email that the department is “currently investigating an alleged threat a student made.”

“It is an active investigation, and we are working closely with school staff to resolve the matter,” Hyrkas said. “We have no reason to believe at this time the safety of the students or staff at the school is in jeopardy.”

Hannah Beardsley Middle School Principal Cathy Alberth sent a statement to parents, as well as school staff.

“We wanted to make you aware that we are currently investigating a threatening comment made by a student at school today,” Alberth said. “We are working with the Crystal Lake Police Department to investigate the comment as we take all such situations seriously. Please know that student and staff safety is our top priority. We will keep you informed should there be further information to share on this matter.”